The Salaulim Dam

The Salaulim Dam located on the Salaulim River, a tributary of the Zuari River in Goa, India, is an integral component of the Salaulim Irrigation Project which envisages benefits of irrigation and drinking water supply.

The best time to visit Selaulim Dam is during the monsoons when the skies loom with heavy clouds and the Western Ghats, which form a majestic backdrop to the dam, are clothed in mist. The lush greenery and the mist-kissed mountains with the gleaming waters make for an overwhelming sight.

To get to the Selaulim Dam, take the road from Margao. Once you arrive at Sanguem crossing Curchorem, you will find the dam. The drive from Margao to the Selaulim Dam is very scenic and you will enjoy it for sure.

Vehicles are not permitted near the dam; you will have to park outside the security cordon. Entry is allowed only into the garden for which you have to pay a minimal fee.

Reis Magos Fort,

From its origin as a defense fortress, to being used as a jail and then a hospital, the fort has served the state since 1493. It was abandoned in 1993 and started showing signs of neglect and deterioration.

This is when the late Mario Miranda, who was the convener of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), approached Lady Hamlyn of the Helen Hamlyn trust (HHT) to fund the restoration of the fort.

This is an attempt to show how monuments can be used and what their regeneration can do to a community. It's about making monuments come alive and be used by the city and the community. Heritage gives you a sense of who you are. It's about identity

The name Reis Magos came from the church next door, which symbolized the Three Wise Men who went to Bethlehem. Once it was a formidable fortress. It may not be as luxurious and well looked after as the Terekhol or the Fort Aguada; still Reis Magos Fort, over the centuries, has maintained its allure due to its location. It has been restored into a fine looking monument, one which has all the ingredients for being the perfect solution for a holiday.

The Mormugão fort

The Mormugão fort was located on the southern tip of the mouth of the Zuari river in Mormugao in the state of Goa on the west coast of India.

Mormugao Fort is a must visit on your list of places to see in Goa; even though it has little of its earlier grandeur left inside its ramparts, it is still a magnificent sight. The location, the Mormugaon Harbor nearby, the awesome white sandy beach of Varca and the lovely little chapel inside the forts walls all sum up to only one conclusive theory, i.e. to visit Mormugao Fort!

Mascarenhas mansion

Mascarenhas Mansion is located on the Anjuna-Beach in north Goa. The mansion is famous among travellers for its beautiful balcoes or balconies and stained glass floral etching. An L-shaped seat carved out of expensive wood is placed in the front porch and is the prime attraction of the mansion. Built during the rule of Portuguese, the mansion exhibits the Portuguese style of architecture. 

In Anjuna, north Goa is classic due to its characteristic ‘balcoes’ (balconies). It is monumental. The riches overpower you. The seat along the length of the porch are L-shaped, of expensive wood, the glare is cut off with a mixture of brightly coloured stained glass and, as if to contrast it, light tinted flint glass “such as which is no longer made” with fine floral etchings.

The Mascarenhas Mansion is a major tourist attraction in Mapusa. The red-tiled rooftop and the extremely well maintained exteriors are enhanced by the strikingly pretty stained glass work on the windows. The cool interiors are welcoming as are the attractive porch and the L-shaped seat on the veranda. You will instantly fall in love with this place! 

Fort Immanuel, Ernakulam / Kochi, Kerala.

Fort Immanuel, Ernakulam / Kochi, Kerala.

Fort Emmanuel also known as Immanuel Fort is a ruined fort located at the Fort Kochi beach of Fort Kochi on the shores of the Arabian Sea in Kochi city, Kerala, India.

Fort Immanuel in Kochi dates back to 1503. It was constructed by the Portuguese as a symbol of the strategic pact between the Maharaja of Cochin and the Ruler of Portugal and named after the Potuguese king, Immanuel. 

By 1806, the fort was in pieces. Now, only remnants can be seen on the Fort Kochi beach. Some relics are kept in the basement of the Indo-Portuguese Museum at the Bishop’s House.

Fatorda Stadium, Margao, Goa.

---

Fatorda Stadium, Margao, Goa.

The Fatorda Stadium, officially known as the Jawarharlal Nehru Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium situated in Margao, Goa. The venue has been used to host both international football as well as cricket matches.

The Fatorda Stadium has a seating capacity of 45000 people and has hosted many international games. It is a cricket cum football stadium that was established in 1989. It was formerly known as the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium named after Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

While visiting this destination you may catch the voices, the regulated pandemonium and the swaying arms of their teams as the fans cheer their players. The multipurpose hall for badminton, judo, taekwondo and table tennis also lie adjacent. Besides these, the gym and the special jogging track help the players in practice and warm up.

Fatorda Stadium houses some associations like Goa Referee’s Association, Goa Taekwondo Association, Youth Hostel Association of India (Goa) and an AIFF office. Plans have also been made to accommodate Goa Judo Association and Goa Volleyball Association in future.

---

Originally published at www.goroadtrip.com.

Cabo Raj Nivas, Panaji, Goa.

Cabo Raj Nivas, Panaji, Goa.

Raj Bhavan is a residential palace and fort situated in Dona Paula, Goa which serves as the official residence of the Governor of Goa. The sprawling 80 acres estate is located on a cape in the Goan capital, Panjim.

Cabo fort lies on the peninsula land jutting out in the Arabian Sea, at Dona Paula, 9 kilometers from Panaji. The fort was erected by the Portuguese in 1540 to guard the entrance to Goa harbour.

Cabo Raj Niwas is scenically located in a lush green locale with awesome views — you can see the sapphire Arabian Sea, the picturesque bay of River Mandovi and the bustling port of Mormugao. There is a little chapel at the end of the mansion. This chapel, dedicated to Our Virgin Lady of the Cape (Nossa Senhora do Cabo), acted as a landmark for sailors.

Cabo de Rama Fort, Canacona, Goa.

Cabo de Rama Fort, Canacona, Goa.

The Cabo De Rama Fort is situated at Canacona taluka in southern Goa at a distance of 30 kms. from Margao.It is said that Lord Rama, the hero of Ramayana stayed here with his wife during their 14 years of exile. This fort was invaded by many armies at different periods of time and has witnessed numerous battles particularly naval ones.

One notices the very unusual name unlike a Portuguese or purely an Indian one at that. As the folklore goes, it was named after Lord Rama. It is said that Lord Rama along with his wife Sita took refuge in this fort during their exile from the kingdom of Ayodhya.

Overlooking the beach to it’s south is the Portuguese Cabo de Rama Fort. From the fort, one can see the Cabo de Rama beach and the Arabian sea. The view from the ramparts of the fort is truly breathtaking!

One can see the Colva and the Canacona stretch from here as well. Some of the turrets of the fort still house the Portuguese cannons.

Aguada Fort, Sinquerim, Goa.

Aguada Fort, Sinquerim, Goa.

The fort was constructed in 1612 to guard against the Dutch and the Marathas. It was a reference point for the vessels coming from Europe at that time. Fort Aguada was the most prized and crucial fort of Portuguese. The fort is so large that it envelops the entire peninsula at the south western tip of Bardez.

Fort Aguada, Goa is at its best. Romantic, Charming, Vibrant. It has history woven in its walls. This is where royalty, heads of government agencies and the biggest celebrities are known to frequent.

The fort had been very thoroughly planned and built. You will find the square layout of the fort with bastions for artillery placed at three corners while the fourth corner is occupied by the main gate. At one point of time, there were 200 cannons as a part of this magnificent structure. The main gate has a magazine adjacent to it, which has a unique semicircular design in order to deflect any enemy shots.